By Goal.com

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29-Jan-2013 11:19:00

The Dutch coach has made a number of changes to his squad as he included Arata who shall become the first foreign footballer to represent India internationally...

Pune FC’s Arata Izumi has been rewarded for his prolific form this season by India coach Wim Koevermans as he has been named in the 23-member roster for the international friendly against Palestine to be played on February 6 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi.

A Japanese citizen until last year, Arata, who was born to an Indian father and a Japanese mother, got his Indian passport just before the commencement of the 2012-13 I-League season and now holds an Indian name, Neelkhant Khambholja.

Goalkeeper Subhasish Roychowdhury of Dempo has been dropped in favour of Churchill Brothers’ in-form custodian, the 38-year old Sandip Nandy. The East Bengal trio of Robin Singh, Gurwinder Singh and Sanju Pradhan, who has been injured, are not part of the squad that was named for the international friendly against Yemen in November last year.

Apart from Arata and Nandy, Gurjinder Kumar, Raju Gaikwad, Lalkamal Bhowmick and Sushil Kumar have made it into the elite list. Prayag United’s CK Vineeth has been named for the first time into the India squad after being consistent in his performances with Prayag United and Chirag Kerala last season.

Koevermans has added several new faces

Taking over the mantle from East Bengal, Eelco Schattorie's Prayag United have the maximum representation in the national team with four players in CK Vineeth, Subrata Paul, Gouramangi Moirangthem and Lalkamal Bhowmick.

The Dutchman under whom India had won the Nehru Cup in September 2012, reiterated the importance of the game for India. “Such games will go a long way in helping us assess ourselves and improve for such matches in the future,” said Koevermans.